Alberton man found guilty of sexual assault

SUMMERSIDE – A 55-year-old Alberton man has been found guilty of four counts of sexual assault against a young woman.

Summerside courthouse. File photo

Provincial court Judge Jeff Lantz made the ruling Tuesday against Richard James Dunville.

Dunville’s trial was held on Jan. 8, during which three witnesses were called to the stand, including himself, the victim and a friend of the victim.

Lantz said in his decision that this case came down to credibility.

In the end, he found the women’s testimony to be honest and credible while Dunville’s was not.

“I just don’t believe much of what he said,” said Lantz.

According to the facts, Dunville sexually assaulted the victim, performing various sex acts on her and attempting to have intercourse with her on one occasion, sometime between Nov. 30 and Dec. 31 of 2012, then again on March 1, 2 and 3 of 2013. During the fourth assault he did manage to have intercourse with her briefly before being interrupted.

The victim testified that the acts were not consensual and that she told Dunville throughout the assaults that she didn’t want to participate.

She also said she didn’t report the first incident because she was scared and confused.

The incidents in March were also unreported until she shared what had happened with her friend.

During his time in the witness box, Dunville denied any assault took place.

He will be sentenced on March 26 at 10 a.m. A pre-sentence report has been ordered, including a sexual deviancy report.